I am a food “elitist”. At least that’s what my dean at culinary school called me. I guess it’s true. When I’m on a road trip (like last week, we made a trip to do a show in Austin) I generally shun fast food stops. Often I’ll bring my own fine sandwich or a tupperware container filled with something tasty. This time, since we were going through Lafayette (recently voted best food town in the US), we stopped for lunch. No, not at Prejeans (more on that later), but at a really really great (but not so well known) spot I’d eaten at a couple of years ago. No website, no advertising, no frills. Just really great food. The Creole Lunch House is a little off the beaten track, and looks just like any other house in the neighborhood. It’s in a black neighborhood, but the lunch crowd is both black and white. I love it when good food breaks stupid boundaries. Miss Merline’s claim to fame is “stuffed bread”. Stuffed with meat, sausage, cheese and “just enough” jalapeno spice. It’s so popular, they have a drive through window just for the bread. (Louisiana is famous for their drive through Daiquiri windows too, but we didn’t stop at any of those). There’s a steam table, cafeteria style, offering red beans & rice, baked stuffed chicken, BBQ ribs, mustard greens and a few other items. All beautifully seasoned and delicious. Lunch will set you back less than 10 bucks.

Steam table options at The Creole Lunch House.

Miss Merline serving customers.

Stuffed bread waiting under heat lamps.

I know this is supposed to be a jewelry blog, but this week was spent doing everything else but making jewelry, and I would like to present myself as a curious, well rounded human being.

But what the hell. Here’s a personal favorite from my new “Wanga” line:

Wanga means “magical charm” or spell in Haitian Creole. There is a huge Morganite, which is a powerful stone for divine love, an Oregon sunstone set in 18K gold which represents protection, healing and success, Labradorite briolettes and beads on the chain which bring power, helps intuition and seeing through illusions. Plus the orthoceras of course. A fossil, that I like to think of as a representation of our ancestors.

The show was actually in suburban Austin. No weirdness here. It was held in a brand new, manufactured neighborhood filled with restaurants and boutiques. All upscale well known chains. Neat, clean and perfect. If you like that kind of thing. I like things a little more messed up and tilted. I would have enjoyed doing the show a little more, if a few more people than my three friends knew about it. Here’s a shot of two of them with my husband:

Ball & chain with Steven and Linda.

But the weather was perfect, and there were some wonderful artists, and we made some new friends. Plus I have to share this photograph of Sue. She was one of the organizers of the show, and bought a pair of my earrings and a pendant just to match her blouse. Thanks Sue!

Sue the co-ordinator.

The food in the neighborhood was “meh”. Except for the pizza at North. It was the best pizza I’ve had in a long time. There is no good (never mind “great”) pizza in New Orleans, I don’t care what anyone says. I lived in Toronto for 18 years, I have had great pizza – there is no great pizza or Italian food in New Orleans. Period. End of story.

On our last night we went downtown (hoping for some of that weirdness they’re trying to keep) and met up with our friends Linda & Steven for fancy shmancy cocktails (I ordered a Mustache Gun: Bulleit bourbon, yellow chartreuse, sugar & Fernet Branca) and dinner at a place call “Peche”. Nothing to complain about, it was all good. But nothing to swoon over like Miss Merline’s cooking. Dinner/drinks will set you back way more than 10 bucks.

The next morning, I said to my husband “I want some real authentic Austin food! We need to at least have a breakfast taco before we go”. This is where I love google and yelp. I lucked out. If you are ever in Austin you must go to Mi Madre’s. Must.

Mi Madre's.

I had a breakfast taco called “Barbacoa with pico de gallo”. It was made with beef cheeks and served with a fantastic salsa. It was the best thing I think I’ve ever eaten. Swoon. Plus we had a wonderful waitress, Emily, who was very helpful in menu navigation.

OK, so on the way back we end up at Prejeans. I need to explain: My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Lafayette, and had lunch at Prejeans the next day before we left (this is 6½ years ago, right after the flood and I wasn’t thinking clearly). It was mostly for romantic nostalgia, plus they do make a terrific smoked duck gumbo.

For those who don’t know: Prejeans is perhaps Lafayettes most famous restaurant. It serves busloads of tourists everyday. They have a great menu. Too bad they can’t execute it. All my seafood was overcooked. I know, I know, I could have sent it back, but the wait for the food was already soooo long, and we wanted to go home – we still had a couple of hours of driving to do. Dinner for 2 = $80.

Here’s a shot of a typical table of 30 something people (they do this all day long). We did buy a quart of smoked duck gumbo to go.

Tables filled with tourists at Prejeans.

Back in New Orleans, I get to cook my own food again. Shrimp & okra were first on the list. I’m almost a Southerner now.

It’s no secret that I am enamored with geodes and stalactite slices. These earthly “gifts” are plain on the outside, spectacular inside (like a couple of people I’ve known in my life).

Stalactites are formed in caves, over a gazillion years, drop by drop. Eventually they form “icicles” and when sliced, they can be breathtaking. Jaw dropping magnificent beautiful creations.

Cave with stalactites

Stalactite slices

Geodes are “eggy” shapes. They come from volcanic rocks or formed from animal burrows or tree roots. Boooring.

Whole geode

Yawn… but enough of that, when you crack them open, the cavities are filled with glittery gorgeousness. Ideal for baubles!

Glittery geode innards

The largest geode in the world was discovered in Almeria Spain in 2000.

Almeria Spain Geode

Most of the stuff available for collectors ranges from a few inches to several feet. A typical geode for foyer decor is about 2 feet hight.

Ideal for foyer decor

Since I’m an extremist, I like the SMALLEST geodes in the world. Baby geodes, little miniature caves of glistening crystals. Pretty much the size that say, Barbie would put in HER foyer for decor.

Barbie's foyer decor

Now I know I’m NOT the only crafty type who likes this stuff. But in my opinion, some things are plain wrong to do. Like this:

Dyed geodes

Or this:

Dyed slices

Why why why why why? It’s sooo unnatural, artificial and bizarre. Like too much make up or really really big fake boobs. Leave the beauty alone I say!
Enough critiquing. Here’s what I’VE been making lately with some of this stuff. All are welcome to come critique moi.

Baby Geode Earrings with Amber Opals & Sapphires

Stalactite Slice Pendant with Chalcedony Briolette

Stalactite Slice Amethyst Drop Earrings

Baby Geode Pendant

Baby Geode Earrings with Iolite and Pink Tourmaline Drops

There are a couple of theories on how geodes are formed. But they’re all too sciency for me, I’m just here for the art part.

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